Beginning the Hunt
“Rocio, go find Ciara please.”
The kotla dutifully jumped from his perch and fluttered off, heading up the grand staircase in search of the Queen. He was met halfway by Lena, pulling a happy prrrrt from him as he swooped around his mate.
Ciara smiled at the two as she closed her door behind her, shifting her shoulders just so to settle the fur wrap on her back. Fall was beautiful in Braenagar, but the temperatures fluctuated wildly. Sunny spots were comfortably warm, but the shade plummeted to cold, and their trail today wound through thick forest.
"Rocio?"
"He found me, darling." Her hooves tinked on the bare marble as she descended the stairs, the two kotlas dancing in the air behind her. "My apologies for the delay. The last buckle was being almost as stubborn as y-" Ciara hit a wet spot and her front leg skittered forward. Thankfully, she was only two steps from the bottom, and her husband was already there waiting for her.
Twisting his head to look at the mare now draped over his back, he gave a feigned pout. "I thought you liked my stubbornness…"
"Cinaed, my love, I adore every part of you, even the stubborn bits." She reached forward and lipped his ear, tweaking the end. "Has anyone given an estimation on when the rug will be back?" He shrugged in response, and both of them looked at Alden.
"Word is that there were a couple spots discovered that needed repairs. Someone's already sent off to the Weaver's Hall to find a Master."
"Thank you, Alden." Her Majesty attempted to squirm her way back to standing, her current couch being entirely unhelpful as he tickled any spot he could reach. Several of the guards ducked their heads to hide their chuckles at the royal antics. "Cina- KINNY!" Finally finding her feet, she tickled him back and he jumped.
"Your Highnesses," Alden broke in before things devolved further, "The Hunt is fully assembled and awaits your presence."
The two giggled and went about putting each other back to rights.
"You'll have my formal declaration of war later tonight…" she muttered in his ear with a smile, tugging the bay's forelock back into some semblance of order.
He merely snickered and kissed her cheek.
Both adopted a more formal mien and nodded for the doors to be opened. Sunlight streamed through, dancing over polished hides as the couple walked out, followed by the Royal Guard.
The Huntmaster raised an eyebrow, suppressed laughter drifting from behind him. "Your Majesties. Would you care to lead us off?"
Cinaed stood tall on his hind legs and called, "Forward!" before setting off in a stately trot. The courtyard filled with the clatter of hooves over stone as the Hunt filed out behind them.